2022 Chipping Norton Stakes Winner: Verry Elleegant Defends Crown, Wins 11th Group 1

[Wandering Eyes]

A rain-soaked Randwick proved no match for reigning Horse of the Year Verry Elleegant on Saturday.

Last year’s Melbourne Cup winner added an 11th Group 1 to her world-class resume whilst simultaneously defending her crown in the $600,000 Chipping Norton Stakes.

Chris Waller’s champion six-year-old was again given the perfect ride by long-time hoop James McDonald, overcoming a three-wide position early on before shifting out four-wide at the top of the straight to grab the lead 200m from home.

The mighty mare fended off a late challenge from Think It Over, setting up a quinella between the mares with She’s Ideel flying home out wide for second.

“She’s a real piece of work, fights like a tiger,” Chris Waller said post-race.

Verry Elleegant will remain in Sydney to contest the Ranvet and the Queen Elizabeth Stakes. Photo: Steve Hart.

“I thought the second horse might have had us at the 100 metre mark but that’s when the Verry Elleeegant qualities pop in and she lifts to another level and that’s just her. She is in for a great prep.”

Verry Elleegant was installed as the short-priced favourite despite a disappointing first-up run in the Apollo Stakes where she found the 1400m a touch too short.

Fifteen of the last 21 winners of the Chipping Norton have now come through the Apollo, and while the mile is far from her best, the step up in trip, plus the soggy conditions definitely helped her cause.

Aside from her record in Group 1’s, Verry Elleegant’s form on rain-affected tracks made her very tough to beat.

The same could also be said for proven mudlark Colette, but a questionable decision from Tim Clark to roll forward ultimately cost the Hallowed Crown mare a third Group 1.

A trip back to Victoria to line up in the All-Star Mile looked to be on the cards for Verry Elleegant, but Waller said they’ll instead head to Rosehill to defend their crown in the Ranvet Handicap on March 5.

“Obviously the All-Star Mile was there and that might have been back on the cards had they not run today and that’s how things can change.

That was always the plan the Ranvet, and then the Queen Elizabeth so three weeks-three weeks, it just works out perfectly.”

Waller’s talented stayer can be found as the short $2.20 favourite ahead of the Ranvet, while she’s also into $3.00 now ahead of the Queen Elizabeth after running second last year to Adeybb.

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